Modern Drama: Breaking the Rules of Traditional Drama

What makes modern drama different from traditional drama?

A. The plot of a modern drama does not always follow a strict structure and might end without a clear resolution.
B. While traditional drama usually stuck to a five-act structure, modern drama can vary from three to eight acts.
C. Modern dramas are generally written in verse, while most traditional dramas are written in a combination of prose and verse.
D. Modern dramas generally feature stock characters, while characters in most traditional dramas are distinct and well-defined.

Answer: A

Explanation: The main trait that distinguishes modern drama from traditional drama is that the plot of modern drama is not bound by a strict structure and may not have a clear resolution. This flexibility allows modern playwrights to experiment with storytelling techniques and themes that may not fit into the traditional dramatic framework.

In traditional drama, adherence to a five-act structure was common, while modern drama can have a varying number of acts, ranging from three to eight. Additionally, traditional dramas were often written in a combination of prose and verse, whereas modern dramas are more likely to be written in verse.

Furthermore, modern dramas tend to feature stock characters, who represent familiar archetypes and are less developed than characters in traditional dramas, which are usually well-defined and distinct. This difference in character portrayal adds to the unique storytelling approach of modern drama.